The Five Step Guide to Detoxifying Your Body From Drugs and Alcohol

Detoxing from drugs or alcohol takes a lot of determination and hard work. By stopping the use of harmful substances, rehydrating the body, eating a healthier diet, ridding the body of toxins, and cutting down on the amount of stress, individuals can successfully detox from drugs and alcohol.

How to Detox Your Body from Drugs and Alcohol

Whether you are a recreational drinker or have admitted to yourself that you have an addiction, the prolonged use of alcohol and drugs causes toxins to build up in your body, negatively affecting your health. Toxins, such as ethanol from alcohol, harms your bodily organs, tissues, and other systems, resulting in an array of diseases and other health problems. The good news is that your body is structured to heal itself from these maladies if given the proper treatment.

What is Detoxification?

Detoxification is like giving your body an inner makeover. It’s about cleaning out those unwanted toxins that are detrimental and harmful to your health. This means feeding yourself a proper diet, participating in exercise, adding other healthy habits to your lifestyle, and bringing your alcohol/drug use to a halt. Essentially, doing all this will clean out the impurities in your blood and allow your body to heal itself.

Depending on your level of addiction, it is always wise to consult with a doctor before trying to detox on your own. If your addiction is severe, you may need medical help to begin the process. Along the way, you may experience nausea, vomiting, headaches, sweats, and other unpleasant symptoms as your body starts shedding the unwanted chemicals. These are to be expected since you are cutting your body off from its fix. If the symptoms worsen, please seek medical attention.

Cut It Off at the Source

The obvious beginning of detox is to stop drinking and/or doing drugs. To rid your body completely of the substance, you must stop participating in the habit itself. This will allow your body to begin shedding the toxins that it has long accumulated. The sooner you quit, the faster you’ll get healthy.

Re-hydrate Your Body

Plain and simple, alcohol dehydrates your body; this can cause all sorts of unpleasant side effects, such as headaches, muscle pain, and fatigue. By drinking lots of water, you can eliminate such ills. Water also has the added benefit of being a natural detox; it flushes out your system, bringing chemicals, toxins, fats, and other unwanted items with it as it leaves your body. The more water you drink, the more you end up flushing out. Minimally, everyone should be drinking 64 oz of water daily. Those looking to detox should be consuming between 80 oz and 100 oz.

Put Good Nutrients In

You ended up with these toxins in your body largely by ingesting them, thus it only makes sense to start replacing these unhealthy consumptions with healthy ones. The best way to do this is to change your diet. The first step is cutting down on sugars and bad fats, which are just one more obstacle for your body to deal with on its journey towards healing. Also, avoid processed and refined foods, as they are unnatural, have little nutrient value, and are hard for your body to digest. This means limiting food that comes in boxes, cans, jars, etc.

The best way to get your body jump-started is by juicing. Drinking all natural juiced fruits and vegetables is basically a shortcut to getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. You can drink about five times the vegetables and fruits than you can eat simply because your body is only filling up on the juice (where the vitamins are) instead of also consuming the meat of the plant. This is beneficial because it allows you to get the vitamins in larger amounts and allows you to consume a larger variety in a day, which is key to proper nutrition.

If you don’t own a juicer and can’t afford one (seriously the best $50 you will ever spend), make sure you are at least eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and accompany it with a multivitamin to ensure your getting all the nutrients you need. When eating lots of produce, one important thing to think about is organically produced food. Foods that are not grown organically are treated with chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which are harmful to your body and can prevent the absorption of nutrients.

Here’s a list of foods that are excellent for detoxification:

Chia seeds, cilantro, parsley, and lemon – Leech on to impurities in your intestines and help dispose of them.

Wild caught fish, avocados, almonds – All high in Omega 3 fats, which can keep your cravings down and help with depression.

Get the Toxins Out

While you are busy putting the good into your body, you should also be concentrating on getting the bad out. Besides eliminating toxins through waste, exercise is the best way to start ridding your body of its unhealthy build up. By accelerating your heart and causing your body to sweat, you are eliminating the unhealthy toxins through your pores. Whether you choose to do this by running, biking, hot yoga, or any other exercise, it will not only help you detox, but it will also produce endorphins in your brain that will keep you in good spirits through this difficult process.

There are two other great ways of eliminating toxins through your skin. One is to get yourself in a sauna. Not only is this a great way to de-stress, but the heavy amount of sweat that is produced streamlines those chemicals out of your body. Epsom salt baths are another great way to accomplish the same thing; the hot water opens your pores and the salt carries the toxins away.

Other Habits to Incorporate

Lessen your stress. In the hectic world we live in, it can be hard to remember to find the time for yourself. So make sure to take a chunk out of the day to unwind and treat yourself well, as stress hormones, such as cortisol, are detrimental to your health and path to detoxification.

Stay away from coffee and cigarettes. Not only are they harmful toxins in themselves, but they can also be addiction triggers, possibly causing you to relapse.

Get a massage. This is another great stress-reducer and can aid in the release of toxins from your body.

Get more sleep. Most of us are sleep-deprived. Ideally, you should be getting 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night to keep your body in peak health and to reduce stress.

Get your family and friends involved. Anyone can take these detoxing steps to a healthier life. By participating in this together, you can offer each other support and help keep yourselves on track.

Start Detoxing From Drugs And Alcohol Today

The decision to begin detox is a big step and not one to be taken lightly. By following these recommendations, you can start on the path to a healthy, drug and alcohol-free life today. If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse and are in need of detox please feel free to contact us.

Thank you. This has been the best atricle I have read in the past year of my recovery and cleanse.

Rehab Center

January 6th, 2015

Thank you Dionisio and we are glad you enjoyed our article. Also good to hear about your recovery.

lisa

March 3rd, 2015

I am seeking a inpatient detox place in Austin tx. For alcohol.

lisa

March 3rd, 2015

Can someone help me find one. I am on medicAde

Daniel

March 6th, 2015

Im tired of the drug induced lifestyle. Im starting now as we speak , to live a healthier and meaningful life. Thx

aj

May 31st, 2015

Ive been clean for over a week. I feel the the unsettling effects of physically n mentally n emotionally in withdrawals. Im seeking how can I cope with these withdrawals so that I dont relapse.

kasey

July 20th, 2015

Today is my first day of going cold turkey off meth. I have been using daily , interveinously since I was 13 , I’m 41 now . I thank u for the good advice on how to remove these toxins and such. Thank u , wish me luck.
Ks

Yolanda

July 20th, 2015

im in my 4th year of sobriety, and wish I knew this during my detox! Ithis is great information and I’m definitely going to use to help others get through theirs !!

Joe

August 15th, 2015

Hello. I need help with my amphetamine addiction. I have abused since 14 and am now 33. I combine high levels of amphetamine with alcohol and it’s ruining my life. Does anyone know of a good inpatient facility where I could stay for a long time in ma or nh? I really need help

mit

September 1st, 2015

i want to detox my body as soon as possible bcause i am using brown sugar on regular basis and for the past 2 days i have quitted but suffering high withdrawal plz suggest me some drugs so that i can detox my body as every minute i am suffering and i feel that i may get relapsed plz help me as soon as pposssible

Linda G

February 15th, 2016

Dear Lortab and other opiate users,

I was a random user at first. I was “the closet kind”, because I am a mother, wife, grandmother, in the car pool for my son’s school, and the list goes on. My family and others wanted to be around me (I thought) because I was happier and functioned better on the chemicals. However; that was not the case. Everyone knew something was wrong, but was scared to hurt my feelings or each had something to gain or lose from me knowing there was an “elephant in the room”. ME. It wasn’t until I had destroyed enough relationships and my own life – that someone decided to toss me to the curb, so to speak. In doing so; I was able to get the help I needed to save my and others lives.

You see; there is a lot more to my life’s story. I transferred from one solution to another. Meaning – opiates to synthetic heroin (methadone), to alcohol, to speed to stay awake – …

My friend; I had to beg for someone to help me in the middle of a blackout. Please, ask for help. Honesty is the key. You are worthy. There are solutions at your fingertips, which do not include chemicals. Let a rehab facility like this one help you. I’ve been clean and sober over 2003 days. If I put another chemical in my body, I know that all will be lost. ME.

You reached out to us, so let one of us reach out to you. We have been there – in pain, detoxing, crapping, puking, thinking, praying for death only to call the dealer again. The 12 steps and rehabilitation works.

Linda G.

June

September 19th, 2015

Ive been lortabs for about 6 years now I’ve tryed getting off myself but its just to hard im on ameri group Medicaid I’ve try a lot of doctor to try to ger medicine to help with withdrawals but either they dnt except my insurance or want to do a inpatient but I can’t bc my husband dnt know and I have kids and a pt job currently my friend had told me about methadone she takes bc she was once addicted to pain killers well she gave me some to help and for 2 weeks I didn’t touch a lortab I need to find a doctor who will help me out patient and medicine for withdrawals and most importantly my insurance I like in Conyers ga please anyone who can help I really need it

admin

October 12th, 2015

Call 800-406-7633

Kelly Pittman

November 13th, 2015

I am and have been addicted to opiates for almost ten years now and I finally addmittex it and ask for help in 09/15 so I wentbyo a physciatrust to try and get something for the withdrawal process but he told me he could not write prescription so I have tried doing it myself and can’t I want to find a clinic that willngine me some type of opiate blocker so I can beat this disease…

admin

November 18th, 2015

We can help guide you through a solution for Opaite Detox. Have you tried your Doctor/Physician? Lets talk – we are familiar with your situation.

John

December 15th, 2015

I have been on Percocet 10/325 for about 9 ish months now and it’s ruining me and my life, I’m always feeling sick and in pain, I wanna detox and get on something for my pain that isn’t really addictive, I’m tired of this horrible lifestyle

admin

December 15th, 2015

Please call our number so we can help. We have personally been through Addiction and detox and know how you feel. It’s tough by yourself.

Richard Freitas

January 18th, 2016

I’ve been a heroin addict for 30+yrs.I have not used in some time. I did suffer a life changing injury on my last run. I now take a low dose of methadone for pain management. It works well for me. It helps my pain, I have no desire to use, and I’m not high. I tried to not take anything for pain, or tried without the use of any opioid or synthetic opioid. I could not do it, not because of my addiction, but because of my level of pain. Before I started the methadone, the state (CDCR) had me on 180mgs of morphine daily for 5yrs. When I was released I found a Dr.to help me off the morphine and start me on a low dose of methadone. People will still hold it against me, judge me, and whatever else comes with the debacle of being a heroin addict, and seriously being in pain. This is why I want counseling, to be in a secure place, I am not in the greatest of places right now! I hope that you can help me

admin

January 27th, 2016

Hi Richard. Thank you for reaching out to us. Please give us a call today at 800-406-7633 so we can help you figure out the best solution to your problem.

archie lee

January 21st, 2016

I’ve been drinking a combination of lemonjuice, raw apple cider vinegar & water,along with cranapple juice, for better taste. Check back with me after a few weeks to get results. This is for releasing the body of multiple toxins, not just for drugs & alcohol in which I’ve discontinued some time ago. Party hearty.getting high on life alone now.

sara

March 9th, 2016

I have a question I need help. I have been trying to get clean from pain killers and sleeping pills. I keep going back to them because I can’t sleep and my brain can’t function to even get thru a job interview I don’t know what to do I can’t tell anyone cause they think I’m doing ;better”. The longest I’ve gone was a month completely clean. I want to tell my family. I want off this rollercoaster.

admin

March 11th, 2016

Sara, we are here to help get you off of your rollercoaster! We’ll have someone reach out to you via email ASAP. If you would prefer to talk via phone, our number is 800-406-7633.

brandy

March 12th, 2016

Relapse is my devil. I get clean over and over n still go back

admin

March 16th, 2016

Brandy, relapse can be a real struggle. We’re here to help you! Give us a call at 800-406-7633

Christina Leau

March 15th, 2016

Hi, Would you mind me getting some free advise? I am addicted to sleeping pills for six years. Can quit did withdrawal symptoms.Lately have not been sleeping well
due to drugs not effective anymore. Can you recommend some supplements to help me?

Thanks

RehabCenterNet

April 12th, 2016

Christina, unfortunately we are unable to provide any advise via our website, especially without gathering further information about your situation. Please give us a call at 1-800-570-3670.

Kay

April 12th, 2016

I am helping someone I love detox and need to know what’s the most effective and fastest way to detox using your steps? At the least how many days does it take to actually get some results?

RehabCenterNet

April 12th, 2016

Kay, please contact us at 1-800-570-3670.

Kay

April 12th, 2016

Please respond ASAP!!

Elizabeth

April 22nd, 2016

Hi,
I’ve currently relapsed and will do anything to detox my body and get back on track. I’ve finally gotten back to a better place in my life and I don’t want to lose everything I’ve worked so hard for. Please help me. I’m currently using heroin a very low dose but still suffer withdrawal when I am without. I don’t want to go back inpatient. Like I said I don’t want my family to know I’ve slipped

RehabCenterNet

April 27th, 2016

Elizabeth, we will have someone contact you via the email address you’ve provided ASAP! In the mean time, if you would like, you can always contact us at 1-800-570-3670.

Maria

June 11th, 2016

I am scared to death my son is coming home on Tuesday 6/14/16 from a correctional drug and alcohol rehab. His friend lives across the street and is still using. What can I do to help him stay clean. I am hoping he and his wife will get back together soon and he can leave here we all want to trust him but it’s not easy. He has two beautiful children to care about. He told me an addict can never say they won’t use again, in which I get I am a smoker and quite many times only to start up again. He has been clean for 5 months because he was locked up. Please I need advice asap

RehabCenterNet

June 15th, 2016

Maria, we will have someone contact you via the email address you’ve provided us ASAP. If you would like to speak with someone over the phone, please call 800-570-3670.

John

June 19th, 2016

I have been on a meth run for 4 weeks now (addict for over 20 yrs) during this month I have lost 20 pounds. I am 2 days clean and scheduled for inpt rehab facility tomorrow but I can bearly sit up. I am weak and votiming still> How can I hydrate quickly so I am physically able to go to the rehab?

RehabCenterNet

August 24th, 2016

John, we will have a treatment specialist contact you ASAP via the email address you provided us.

Chris

August 20th, 2016

Hi, I have been using for over a year now and tried to get off opiates for the past 6 months ever since my husband and I got into some trouble. He is currently incarcerated and has been clean this whole time and also has been trying the best of his ability to help me get of off them. He has been a user ever since his accident when he was 15 and he is now 24. I just want to take the right step and lead us into a better life. We want to live a sober and straight life, these drugs have left us nothing but a dark path, especially for him. I want to start our life so when he gets out I can help him stay clean and be healthy. I relapsed atleast 6 times for the past couple of months because of what we are going through, but I would like to get some help detoxing and continue living sober and staying on track with it. I really just want to turn our lives around especially we are both young and deserve better.

RehabCenterNet

August 22nd, 2016

Chris, we will have a treatment specialist contact you ASAP via the email address you’ve provided. We are here to help!

Kris

September 9th, 2016

I have been taking 1mg of Lorazapam every night for the last 9 months since my MI and stent placement in January. Prior I took 1/2mg for sleep for about 6mos and prior I took it only occasionally for sleepless nights. The last few mos I noticed I have not been sleeping as well, not realizing my body has built up a tolerance and probably wanted more. (This I find after reading up on this medicine…btw, did not know it was addictive ) After reading on this med I decided to taper off and quit .It has been 3 weeks and I am down to 1/2mg at night. BUT, the withdrawel symptoms are awful…irratable, Im sick to my stomache 24/7, no appetite at all, hot and cold, night sweats, body aches and the insomnia that I was prescribed this med for is horrible!!! I tried taking tylenol pm with my 1/2mg and never slept all night. Last night I tried 4mg Melatonin and slept 45 minutes all night. Is tapering the way to go or should I be getting help with meds, etc. And will it ever get better? Btw…I am a 61 yr old female with CAD

RehabCenterNet

September 13th, 2016

Kris, we will have a treatment specialist contact you via the email address you provided us so that we may better assist you!

Kamie Myers

September 28th, 2016

Hello, I am Kamie Myers. I have been addicted to spice now for almost 2 yrs or longer now… I was curious, searching for holistic detox remedies that would help with my decision to quit. I have had a rough road during my journey in this life and I have already been to hell and back… I say this because I am a very strong individual who has taken a horrific travesty and turned it for positive… I have no insurance, I can’t go and get help… I need to do this not only for myself, however I realise, myself being #1 priority, I have to do this because I have obligations, and people who truly need me to be 100% me. Not only that, my selfishness is now affecting my loved ones’ quality of life. At the core , I have always been a selfless person, These drugs are messing with my core and I NEED HELP….is there any one out there… or in the words of a song…. will I remain “comfortably numb” to the point of being so numb that I am dead. I guess the reason for the strong words here …at the top of this page is a confidential number …says to call 24/7…I called it rang 20 times, called again same thing… why post a number when there is no one at the other end….good thing I wasn’t a person ready to jump over to the other side… not getting answered could have been my last hope…

RehabCenterNet

September 29th, 2016

Kamie, we are here to help you! One of our treatment specialists will reach out to you via the email address you’ve provided as soon as possible.

McKenzie

September 29th, 2016

I’ve been a coke addict for almost 15 years I’ve just started using heroin and pain killers what do I do

RehabCenterNet

September 29th, 2016

McKenzie, we are here to help you with your addiction. A treatment specialist will contact you via the email address you’ve provided us ASAP!

Eduard Morales

October 24th, 2016

I didn’t know what to do after quitting smoking & smk pot about 8yrs then stop drinking sugar drinks & snacks. Then just drank water only &watch what I ate more protein less carbs. But just this yr just walked about 5 miles a day not fast just normal & just resend lyrics doing weights for my arms,wings,chest & setups so in 10 months wt 300 lbs now 205 and 61 yrs old just keep it simple and enjoy the veiw

RehabCenterNet

October 24th, 2016

Great job, Eduard!

Melissa

October 24th, 2016

I was using meth for 20 + years, everyday basis. Using the drug, I thought helped me maintain my home, my job and basically was my crutch to get my day going. I made the decision to quit after my partner of 8 years stopped cold turkey. His addiction was twice the that of mine and almost tore us apart. Porn, all night sleep overs away from home and no emotions. It was a few months I continued to use after he had stopped and he was done with me if I hadn’t of quit when I did. My kids, youngest 11 years old and oldest 30 years but have 4 precious grandchildren and after having no idea of my addiction, i came clean and laid it out on the table and since have had so much support. I believe it is important to talk to family about your addiction so they understand what you are going through. Nobody around you can help if you don’t speak out. My family loves me more for my honestly and it has brought us so close. Don’t do this alone, reach out to love and support from family and friends. Good luck to all who is fighting or trying to fight these horrific demons in our lives. Prayers to all in need and take care.

RehabCenterNet

October 27th, 2016

Thanks for sharing, Melissa!

Mo

October 24th, 2016

hi.

Thank you guy, going.to.start in the morning. Think you guys are.great.

Good luck everyone, and i know.we can do.it.

Peace and Love.
“Mo”

RehabCenterNet

October 26th, 2016

Thanks, Mo! Good luck to you!

Whitney

December 16th, 2016

Hey am a mojo smoker,a herion am trying to quick but it’s hard I don’t like the sickness or I can’t see it mess with my eyes some time, bones please help now some one please

RehabCenterNet

December 19th, 2016

Whitney,

We will have a treatment specialist contact you as soon as possible via email! If you would like to speak to someone over the phone immediately, please give us a call at 888-757-5052!

Corey

January 25th, 2017

I’ve been doing pills since my mother introduced me and she’s been dead for ten years. The only time I feel normal is with a pill. It’s been a week without an opiate but I take kratom which is probably not helping. This morning I woke up with the sickness as I call it. I just hope I pull thru. I wish I had insurance. I would’ve been on treatment YEARS ago.

RehabCenterNet

January 25th, 2017

Corey,

We are here to help you pull through! One of our treatment specialists will reach out to you ASAP via email to find some options for you.
Hang in there.

Angie

March 5th, 2017

My 15 year old has turned to drugs & alcohol after losing her father 11 months ago. I feel helpless for several reasons. I don’t even know what drug she’s using & quite frankly I don’t even know much about them. I think she’s currently having withdrawals & I don’t know what’s right or normal. Do I let her sleep? She was complaining of chest pain yesterday & she’s very tired. Is there certain foods that she should stay away from? I’m dreading tomorrow because I have to go to work & I don’t want to leave her alone because I’m afraid that she may leave again & the local police department are no help. We need help!
Thanks, Angie

admin

March 6th, 2017

I am very sorry to hear about your situation. The best way to help you and your daughter is to get her help as soon as possible. Please give us a call at 888-757-5052. We will be happy to discuss things further, and help any way we can.

Michelle Sullivan

March 11th, 2017

Am praying hoping and trying to this time really give a go I been posponig it my recovery for too long

RehabCenter.net

March 13th, 2017

Thank you for reaching out, you are making the right choice to seek treatment. Please give us a call 888-757-5052. I want to help you as you move forward on your path to recovery.

Becki

March 15th, 2017

Hi I have been addicted to class A drugs for 12 years. I am on a Methadone program now and when I started the program I didn’t touch any drugs at all for 3 weeks but I am now dabbling on top of the methadone. I really need some advise as I honestly don’t want to be smoking with my script and me and my close family is finding it hard to support my habit. I wounder did I start back on the drugs because I just cut them out straight away or am I not able to stop? Would I not use on top if I cut down then cut the drugs out instead? Please advise ASAP I am really struggling with my situation now. Thank you becki

RehabCenterNet

March 15th, 2017

Becki, we will have a treatment specialist contact you via email as soon as possible to discuss this with you!

Nathaniel

March 22nd, 2017

I have been addicted to canibis and cigarettes for about 14 years i am now 32 year’s old and have been experiencing more opiates across the last 2years around once or twice a month i i have tried to quit cigarettes 3 times in the last 2 years but when i drink or take a class drugs i smoke.
Just recently i had taken A class drugs pills and cocaine and found myself smoking on the night and day after i recently woke up a day after a large party and my head felt like mush and was very down.
I want to stop smokes weed and alc including any A class and fight all cravings.
for the past few months i have been exercising and eating healthy but when a weekend comes where i go party i spoil all my efforts.
How can i stay clean from everything and still have fun!

Kyle Meade

March 22nd, 2017

Thank you for reaching out to us! That is a great question and we would like to help in any way we possibly can! We have a vast amount of resources that I think you would find to be very helpful. The best way to explain and answer any questions would be to have you give us a call to discuss further details!

Nancy Elaine Buttram

September 5th, 2018

I have,been smoking cigs since I was 14 years old. I’m 54 this Oct. I want to stop smoking so bad but about 2 to 3 days into it. I grab a pack of cigs. What can I do.

bindalayurveda

September 11th, 2018

Thank you for reaching out, you are making the right choice to seek treatment.
It was looking for something like this.. good one…

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